Everything’s coming up Milhouse Warner Bros. and DC Comics! Not only did Fox announce that they’re taking Gotham to series, but NBC has also confirmed that they are greenlighting the Constantine pilot from David S. Goyer (Man of Steel) and Daniel Cerone (The Mentalist). We first reported on Constantine back in September, but now DC’s resident unsavory supernatural detective will be making the leap from pitch to pilot. Created back in 1985 as a supporting character in Swamp Thing, Constantine has gone on to be one of the most beloved anti-heroes in the DC Universe, thanks in no small part to his delightful blend of hard drinking, supernatural mystery, and being an all around bastard.
Although John Constantine is a newcomer to TV, he was portrayed on the big screen back in 2005’s Constantine by none other than Keanu Reeves, which was decidedly at odds with Constantine’s background as a blond haired, blue-eyed Brit. Fun fact: Sting actually served as the visual inspiration for creating Constantine. Given that Constantine is rumored to feature heavily in Guillermo del Toro’s rumored Justice League Dark film, introducing the general public to the character via a serialized drama is a smart move by Warner Bros. and DC. Here’s hoping that NBC is willing to let them bring the kind of insanity to TV screens that Garth Ennis and Brian Azzarello brought to the comic’s pages.
Who would you like to see play Constantine? Is a Constantine series a good idea? Sound off in the comments below or tell me on Twitter.
HT: Deadline
By far, my top choice for The Hellblazer was already in the Constantine movie, but didn’t play the part. Gavin Rossdale. He’s a natural brit, and I think we should be able to think of actors outside the blonde hair color since the advent of hair dye. Not only that, he just has the look. No offense to Marsters, he is just too androgynous for me to really see as John Constantine.
As for the newest attempt at bringing Sandman on screen, not holding my breath. Just because Joseph Gordon Levitt wants it to happen doesn’t mean it will. People have been trying to adapt it since the 90’s, and Gaimen, rightfully so, has stopped them all. Gotta remember Sandman is Gaiman’s Magnum Opus, so he is not going to let anything damage it. Also have to look at the scope and story and figure out how to translate it into something that will generate consistant good ratings, because we want to see the story to the end. Also…we’re talking a shit ton of material plus Neil just started running the Overture volumes. I sincerely would hope, to do the story justice, that Sandman would be a tv show or mini series instead of a movie.
As someone else said, NBC is the wrong network for this. Have they even read the Vertigo comic series at all ?! It’s more suited for HBO, Showtime, FX, or AMC. Plus, their track record in the 2000s for keeping shows going long-term is awful.
And what the hell, James Marsters ? NO. HELL NO. That smacks too much of typecasting. There are so many other actors who are better suited and deserve a chance to shine… many of them have already been named by the other posters here.
I hope they adapt the Garth Ennis and Jamie Delano stories and do them justice. It’s not that hard, if they would just do their damn research and read the source material… I do not ask for 100 % panel-by-panel reproduction, but when these adaptations make unnecessary changes that don’t represent the source very well, then something is wrong.
Anyway, just hope it is given a chance and not cancelled prematurely.
Constantine on NBC, Preacher on AMC, Sandman movie in the works. It’s about time that WB realized Vertigo was the way to go for live-action. The Justice League stuff they’re planning is nonsense. Ben Affleck as Batman is whatever, but give him his own movie. No one cares about Cyborg or Wonder Woman interacting with Joaquin Phoenix. Fables or Unwritten would make cool shows on CW or SyFy.
I think Joseph Morgan would be great!
Sting.
Jonathan Sim. He played the Master superbly in Dr Who with just the right amount of madness and bravado; and he was great as the lead in the British version of Life on Mars. Great actor and would really get into the complexity of Constatine’s character
JAMES MARSTERS! Is the only person who could do that role justice.
My first two picks (Marsters and Bettany) have already been mentioned, so I’ll say Gideon Emery. He’s got the look, and oh my, that voice.
David Tennant would do a brilliant job
You know that they are just gonna take all the teeth out of it, clean it up and dumb it down. The language alone should have sent it to cable.
James Marsters would be cool, but Marc Warren is incredible & also really english & has that wild conman/mage quality.
Warren Brown would be an my pick Chas Chandler.
I just hope they give it a little more Hellblazer & less New 52.
Not NBC… They’ll cancel it after one season!!!
Someone who would actually fit Constantine’s background like tall, fit, and actually British
Michael Fassbender
Paul Bettany.
I doubt Marsters is up for playing a blond, snotty Brit in a trench coat yet again.
Guy pierce!!
agreeeeeee
Yep, James Marsters.
James Marsters would be awesome.
James Marsters